The Wolf Man 1941

The Wolf Man 1941 depicts a man’s struggle after being cursed to become a werewolf.

Release date: 12 December 1941
Director: George Waggner

Cast: Lon Chaney Jr, Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya, Evelyn Ankers, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, J. M. Kerrigan, Fay Helm, Forrester Harvey

Studio: Universal Pictures
Country: United States

The Wolf Man 1941 Review

“The Wolf Man” is a 1941 horror film directed by George Waggner and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, a man who returns to his family’s estate in Wales and becomes the victim of a werewolf curse.

The film follows Larry as he returns home to reconcile with his father, Sir John Talbot (Claude Rains), and his brother, John Talbot (Ralph Bellamy).

While out walking in the forest, Larry is attacked by a werewolf and is bitten. He soon discovers that he has been cursed and begins to transform into a werewolf himself every full moon.

As the film progresses, Larry struggles to control his transformations and to convince those around him that he is not simply insane.

His love interest, Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers), tries to help him and together they search for a cure. But when Larry’s transformations become more frequent and violent, he realizes that there may be no way to break the curse.

“The Wolf Man” was a significant film in the horror genre, as it established many of the tropes and themes that would become standard in later werewolf movies.

Chaney’s performance as Larry Talbot is a standout, as he captures the character’s anguish and desperation with great skill.

The film also features impressive special effects, including Chaney’s werewolf makeup, which became iconic.

Compared to other horror films of its time, “The Wolf Man” is relatively tame, with little gore or violence.

However, it still manages to be eerie and suspenseful, with an effective use of shadow and atmosphere to create a sense of dread.

Overall, “The Wolf Man” is a classic horror film that has stood the test of time.

Its influence can be seen in countless werewolf movies that have come after it, and it remains a must-see for fans of the genre.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Wolf Man 1941

Bela Lugosi campaigned for the lead role but ended up in a minor supporting role.
The “wolf” in The Wolf Man was played by Lon Chaney Jr.’s own German Shepherd.
The famous quote, “Even a man who is pure at heart…” was made up by the writer Curt Siodmak. Many werewolf myths originated from this film, such as the vulnerability to silver bullets.
Maria Ouspenskaya, who played the old Gypsy woman, was only six years older than Bela Lugosi, who played her son.
The film’s foggy forest set was one of the largest indoor sets Universal had ever built.